2010 Celebrity Deaths

Eddie Fisher sold millions of records in the 1950s (most notably "Oh, My Pa-pa" and "Any Time," but he will perhaps best be remembered for breaking wife Debbie Reynolds' heart (they were dubbed America's Favorite Couple) when he dumped her for Elizabeth Taylor. The scandal sidetracked his career. Shades of Jen/Brad/Angelina, no one took Fisher's side. Daughter Carrie would become a movie star and celebrated author/talk show guest. (credit: AP)

Stephen J. Cannell

Stephen J. Cannell produced some of the most iconic TV shows like “The A-Team” and “21 Jump Street.” Cannell died at 69 from complications associated with melanoma. (credit: David Livingston/Getty Images)

Tony Curtis

Hollywood legend Tony Curtis died in September at the age of 85. To this generation, he was Jamie Lee Curtis' dad. But to the generation pre, he was a major movie star who was adept in both comedy ("Some Like It Hot" opposite Jack Lemmon) or drama ("The Defiant Ones" opposite Sidney Poitier.) Curtis wrote several acclaimed autobiographies (where he chronicled his battles with drugs and alcohol) and was also acclaimed for his many art works. (credit: AP)

Gloria Stuart

Gloria Stuart, who played Old Rose in the 1997 Oscar-winning blockbuster "Titanic" died September 27 at the age of 100. Stuart was a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005 after surviving an earlier bout with breast cancer. She had retired from films in 1946 after what she called a string of "stupid parts with nothing to do." At 87, Stuart became the oldest actress to be nominated for an Oscar. (credit: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

John Wooden

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden died June 4. He was 99. He was the first person put into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and a coach. He led UCLA to ten NCAA championships in a 12-year period. (credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Johnny Maestro

Brooklyn-born Johnny Maestro, the crooner best known for the 50s era hits "16 Candles" and "The Worst That Could Happen." died in March at 70. He battled cancer for several years. (credit: AP)

Harold Gould

Harold Gould, most known for playing Rhoda's dad in the 70's sitcom as well as playing the con man in the movie "The Sting," died in September at age 86. Gould, who had been nomintated for five Emmys, also played Betty White's boyfriend on "The Golden Girls" and most recently guest-starred on shows like "Nip/Tuck" and "Cold Case." (credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Kevin McCarthy

Kevin McCarthy, who is perhaps best known for starring in "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers", died in Hyannis Port, September 11 at the age of 96. His career spanned seven decades and he was also known for roles in "Distinguished Gentleman," "UHF" and "The Twilight Zone" movie. He was also a Golden Globe winner and Oscar-nominee for playing Biff in the 1951 adaptation of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman." (credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

Harold Dow

Harold Dow (second from left) and colleagues from "48 Hours" Erin Moriarty, Susan Spencer, Peter Van Sant and Bill Lagattuta, shown in 2000. Dow died August 20 of adult onset asthma. The long-time CBS News correspondent -- he worked for the network for 40 years -- was 62. Dow was married and leaves behind three children. (credit: AP)

Ilene Woods

Ilene Woods, the voice of Cinderella in Disney’s animated classic, has died. She was 81.

Justin Mentell

Actor Justin Mentell, who appeared on the TV show "Boston Legal," was killed in an SUV crash in Wisconsin on Feb. 1, 2010. (credit: Brad Barket/Getty Images)

John Murtha

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., died on Feb. 8, 2010, after suffering complications from gallbladder surgery. Murtha, a retired Marine Corps, became the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress. He was an outspoken and influential critic of the Iraq War. (credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

J.D. Salinger

J.D. Salinger, who authored "The Catcher in the Rye" in 1951, passed away on Jan. 28, 2010. The reclusive writer died of natural causes, according to his son.

Howard Zinn

Howard Zinn, an author, teacher and political activist whose leftist "A People's History of the United States" became a million-selling alternative to mainstream texts, died of a heart attack on Jan. 27, 2010. He was 87. (credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

Louis Auchincloss

Prolific author Louis Auchincloss, seen in this May 2, 2000 file photo, died of a stroke on Jan. 27, 2010. He was 92. (credit: George De Sota/Liaison)

Miep Gies

Miep Gies died Jan. 11, 2010, from a neck injury suffered when she fell the previous month, the Anne Frank House museum said. She was 100 and had been one of the few people still alive who knew Anne Frank, whom she hid from the Nazis for two years. (credit: AP)

Merlin Olsen

Merlin Olsen carries the Olympic Flame during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay in Kearns, Utah. Olsen was a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and member of the LA Rams famed "Fearsome Foursome." After his succesful football career, Olsen went into broadcasting -- as a color commentator -- and acting. He had a recurring role on "Little House on the Prairie" (1977-1981) and his own series, "Father Murphy" (1981-1983). He died in March at the age of 69. (credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

Kathryn Grayson

Actress Kathryn Grayson reportedly carried on a steamy affair with billionaire Howard Hughes throughout much of the 1950s. She died at 88 in February. Grayson died of natural causes in her LA home. Through the 40s and 50s, she lit up movie musicals with a lilting soprano in such films as "Showboat," "Kiss Me Kate," and "Anchors Away." (credit: AP)

Doug Fieger, leader of the pop rock band The Knack, performs at the Countdown Spectacular 2 at Rod Laver Arena on Aug. 30, 2007, in Melbourne, Australia. Fieger died Feb. 15th at his home in Woodland Hills. He was 57. The Knack was, perhaps, best known for the 1979 hit "My Sharona." (credit: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)

Corey Haim

Actor Corey Haim arrives at the 3rd Annual Avant Garde Fashion Show at Boulevard3 on March 19, 2009 in Hollywood, California. Haim died March 10 of an apparent accidental drug overdose, although the official cause in pending. Haim, the star of such 80s fare as "Lucas" and "The Lost Boys" had spent years battling drug addiction. (credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Robert Parker

Author Robert Parker, seen in this 2006, file photo, died Jan. 19, 2010. Parker, a crime novelist who helped revive the hard-boiled genre and branded a tough guy of his own through his "Spenser" series, was 77. It was unclear what lead to his death. (credit: AP)

Pernell Roberts

Pernell Roberts, who starred in "Bonanza" and "Trapper John, M.D.," died on Jan. 25, 2010, at the age of 81. He was suffering from cancer. (credit: AP)

Alexander McQueen

British designer Alexander McQueen acknowledges the audience after his Fall-Winter 2010-2011 Menswear collection on January 18, 2010 during the Men's fashion week in Milan. The renowned and controversial designer was 40 when was found dead in his London home in February. (credit: Damien Meyer/Getty Images)

Peter Graves

Actor Peter Graves attends the Golden Boot Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 12, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. Graves died of an apparent heart attack outside his Los Angeles home on March 14, publicist Sandy Brokaw said. He was 83. (credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Actor John Forsythe died April 1 at the age of 92. The handsome, dashing actor will be remembered for a host of things, most notably as the suave Blake Carrington on "Dynasty", "Bachelor Father" and the voice of Charlie on "Charlie's Angels." For a short while, Forsythe was also a public address announcer for the Brooklyn Dodgers. (credit: Lucy Nicholson/Getty Images)

Jaime Escalante

Jaime Escalante, the Garfield High math teacher who inspired the 1988 hit film "Stand and Deliver," died of bladder cancer in March. He was 79. Edward James Olmos played Escalante in the movie and the two became friends. Olmos, in fact, was instrumental in raising money for Escalante to help pay his medical expenses. (credit: AP)

Fess Parker

Actor Fess Parker died at his Santa Ynez home of natural causes March 18, 2010. He was 85. He is pictured here being honored on the "50th anniversary of the debut of Davy Crockett" at Disneyland on Dec. 15, 2004 in Anaheim, Calif. (credit: Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

One of prime time TV's most prolific writers, David Mills died March 31 of a brain aneurysm. The 48-year-old Mills died weeks before his latest show, "Treme", was set to debut. (He was also the co-executive producer.) Mills was a journalist by trade who was drawn to TV after he wrote a script for "Homicide: Life On The Street." He followed that up with stints as a writer on "The Wire," "ER," "NYPD Blue" and "Kingpin", which he created, to name just a few. He also wrote the blog "Undercover Black Man." (credit: AP)

Daryl Gates

Former LAPD Chief Daryl Gates, whose storied career ended with the Rodney King beating and 1992 Los Angeles riots, died April 16 after a short battle with cancer. He was 83. (credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Robert Culp

Robert Culp, the versatile actor who teamed with Bill Cosby in the groundbreaking comedy-adventure TV series "I Spy," died in March. He was 79. Police say he hit his head in a fall while walking near his home. (credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Christopher Cazenove

A week after "half-brother" John Forsythe died at 92, Christopher Cazenove -- best known in the States for playing Blake Carrington's long-lost sibling on "Dynasty" -- died in London from complications from septicaemia. Cazenove was 64. (credit: Chris Weeks/Getty Images)

Abbey Lincoln

Noted jazz singer Abbey Lincoln (born Anna Marie Woolridge) performs at the Jazz At Lincoln Centers Concert For Hurricane Katrina Relief at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 17, 2005 in New York City. She died August 14 at the age of 80. While remembered for her singing, Lincoln was also an actress (she starred in many 60s era films, most notably opposite Sidney Poitier in "For Love of Ivy") and civil rights activist. (credit: Brad Barket/Getty Images)

Art Linkletter

Art Linkletter, host of TV show "People Are Funny," died at the age of 97 in Los Angeles. (credit: Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)

Lynn Redgrave

Actress Lynn Redgrave, who became a 1960s sensation as the title character of "Georgy Girl" died on May 2, 2010 at the age of 67 after battling breast cancer for seven years. She is pictured here attending Playbill's 125 Anniversary at the Bon Appetit Supper Club and Cafe on September 21, 2009 in New York City. (credit: Matt Carr/Getty Images)

Lena Horne

Iconic singer and actress Lena Horne died May 9, 2010 at the age of 92. (credit: AP)

Pitcher Jose Lima

The Los Angeles Dodgers said former pitcher Jose Lima died on May 23, 2010 of an apparent heart attack. Lima was 37. He is pictured here during the National League Division Series Game Four against the St. Louis Cardinals on October 10, 2004 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Helen Wagner

Helen Wagner starred as matriarch Nancy Hughes on CBS's "As The World Turns" for more than 50 years in the same role. She died May 2 at the age of 91. Wagner said the first words uttered on the soap when it premiered on April 2, 1956, "Good morning, dear." 2010 was particularly cruel to longtime soap vets. James Mitchell (he played Palmer on "All My Children") and Frances Reid (she played Alice on "Days of our Lives") also died. (credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Gary Coleman

Actor Gary Coleman died at the age of 42 on Friday, May 28, 2010, after having been hospitalized in critical condition at a Utah hospital. The actor is best known for his stint on TV's "Diff'rent Strokes," which aired from 1978 to 1986. (credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Edwin Valero

World Boxing Council (WBC) World Champion of the Lightweight division Edwin Valero, of Venezuela, celebrates after winning against interim champion Mexican Antonio DeMarco on Feb. 6, 2010, in Monterrey, Mexico. After being arrested April 17, 2010 on suspicion of killing his wife in Venezuela, Valero, then 28, committed suicide in his jail cell, reportedly by cutting up his clothes and fashioning a noose around his neck. (credit: Omar Torres/Getty Images)

Dennis Hopper

Actor Dennis Hopper died at his Venice, California home on May 29, 2010 after a long battle with prostate cancer. (credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio died May 16, 2010 at the age of 67. Last summer, Dio revealed that he was suffering from stomach cancer shortly after wrapping up a tour in Atlantic City, N.J. with the latest incarnation of Black Sabbath, under the name Heaven And Hell. Dio is pictured here performing on stage during a concert in Oslo, on June 04, 2009. (credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

George Steinbrenner

George Steinbrenner rebuilt the New York Yankees into a sports empire with a mix of bluster and big bucks that polarized fans all across America. He died Tuesday, July 13, 2010, days after celebrating his 80th birthday July 4. (credit: Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Jimmy Dean

Jimmy Dean was a country singer who first made a name for himself with the smash 60s' era hit "Big Bad John." After he stopped recording, he went into the hog business and began selling Jimmy Dean sausage. He sold the company to Sara Lee for a small fortune and continued on as spokesperson until a falling out in 2003. In the early 90s, his net worth was estimated at $75 million. He died June 13. Dean was 81. (credit: AP)

Bobby Thompson

New York Giants slugger Bobby Thomson hit what was called "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" in 1951 when his home run dashed the hopes of the Brooklyn Dodgers and kept them from going to the World Series. At various times, the home run was called "the" most famous in baseball history, as well as Giants' announcer Russ Hodges memorable and breathless call, "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!" Thomson died August 16 at the age of 86. (credit: AP)

Rue McClanahan

Actress Rue McClanahan died in June at the age of 76 after suffering a major stroke. McClanahan starred on TV's popular "The Golden Girls" and before that, co-starred with "Golden Girls" co-star Bea Arthur in the sitcom "Maude." (credit: Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

Robert Byrd

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., looks towards a passing airplane as he takes part in a September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol to honor those who lost their lives and saved others in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. (credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Actress Patricia Neal

Patricia Neal, the willowy, husky-voiced actress who won an Academy Award for 1963's "Hud" and then survived several strokes to continue acting, died on Aug. 8, 2010, reportedly of lung cancer. She was 84. (credit: AP)

Edith Shain

Edith Shain stands in Times Square in front of a statue of her famous kiss with a sailor on V-J Day at the end of World War II on Aug. 11, 2005, in New York City. She died June 2010 at the age of 91. Many men stepped up over the years to say they were the sailor in the famous shot (that also made the cover of Life Magazine) but it was never confirmed who the man was. (credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Ted Stevens

Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history who lost his seat after a corruption conviction that was later dismissed, was killed Aug. 10, 2010 in a small plane crash in Alaska. He was 86. (credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Bob Sheppard

Revered Yankee Stadium public address announcer, Bob Sheppard, has died. Sheppard's impeccable introductions of stars earned him the nickname "The Voice of God." He was believed to be 99. He is pictured here addressing fans from his home by videotape during the last regular season game at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sept. 21, 2008. (credit: Don Emmert/Getty Images)

Ali "Ollie" Woodson

Former Temptations lead singer Ali "Ollie" Woodson died on May 30, 2010 after a long battle with leukemia. (credit: Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)

Barbara Billingsley

Barbara Billingsley, who played the beloved mother June Cleaver to a pair of precocious boys on "Leave It To Beaver," died Oct. 16, 2010 in Santa Monica. (credit: AP)

Jill Clayburgh

Jill Clayburgh, an Oscar-nominated actress who starred on Broadway, TV and films including “An Unmarried Woman” and “Dirty Sexy Money,” died November 5, 2010 after a 21-year battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. She was 66.

James Bacon

James Bacon, who began his career at The Associated Press in the 1940s and spent 75 years chronicling Hollywood’s biggest stars as a reporter, author and syndicated columnist, died Sept. 18, 2010. He was 96. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Leslie Nielsen died on Nov. 28 after being hospitalized for pneumonia. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)

Ronni Chasen

Prominent Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was shot several times in the chest before her car careened into a light pole along Sunset Boulevard on Nov. 16. Chasen promoted the Academy Award-winning film, "Driving Miss Daisy" among other acclaimed movies. (credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Irvin Kershner

Beloved director Irvin Kershner died on Nov. 29 at the age of 87. Kershner directed the second Star Wars film “The Empire Strikes Back.” (credit: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Blake Edwards

Director Blake Edwards (L) passed away of complications from pneumonia at the age of 88 on Dec. 15. (credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Mario Monicelli

Italian Director and screenwriter Mario Monicelli died on Nov. 29, at the age of 95. Monicelli reportedly jumped to his death from a hospital window after being admitted to a hospital for treatment of prostate cancer. (credit: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Tom Bosley

Actor Tom Bosley, best known for his role as Howard Cunningham on "Happy Days" died on Oct. 19, at the age of 83. (credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Greg Giraldo

American stand-up comedian Greg Giraldo died on Sept. 29, at the age of 44 after overdosing on prescription pills. (credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Rich Cronin

Singer Rich Cronin died from leukemia on Sept. 8, at the age of 35. He was best known as the frontman for the boy band, LFO. (credit Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for LEVIEV)

"Days of Our Lives" star Frances Reid died early February at the age of 95. (credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Jean Simmons

Actress Jean Simmons died of lung cancer at the age of 80 on Jan. 22. (credit: AP)

Jennifer Lyon

"Survivor: Palua" contestant Jennifer Lyon died in January after losing her battle with breast cancer. Lyon was 37. (credit: Fernando Leon/Getty Images)

Bud Greenspan

Bud Greenspan, the filmmaker whose documentaries often soared as triumphantly as the Olympic athletes he chronicled for more than six decades, died at his home in New York City on December 26. He was 84. (credit: AP)

Teena Marie

Singer/songwriter Teena Marie, best known for the 1984 smash "Lovergirl," and one-time Rick James protegee, died December 26 at the age of 54. (credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS - MAY 01: Teena Marie performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Teena Marie